Batting training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A batting training system utilizes an adjustable belt which is worn around the waist of a batter. One end of a tether line is connected to the belt and the other end to a hook which is configured to be attached to a fixed structure such as a fence. Releasable connectors which use Velcro® or its equivalent, are located between the ends of the tether. With the belt around the batter&#39;s waist and the tether extended from the belt to the fixed structure, the batter takes his stance, awaiting the pitched ball. If the batter takes a proper swing, i.e. he properly shifts his weight, the tether will remain attached between the batter and the fixed structure. If the batter improperly moves his body forward before swinging or shifts his weight forward during the swing, the connectors will detach, allowing the tether to fall to the ground. This provides immediate feedback to the batter, who can then reattach the connectors and continue to practice swinging correctly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is important, while executing a good batting stroke, that the batterbe in the proper, balanced position at all times during the swingingprocess. Thus, while in the process of swinging, it is critical that thebatter shift his or her weight from the back leg to the front leg at theappropriate point in the swing. Many batters, however, do not properlyshift their weight when swinging. Instead, they shift their weight farforward and a batter will often actually move the upper body towards thepitched ball. This will usually result in hitting a foul or weak fairball or actually missing the ball entirely. It is therefore importantthat batters be trained to maintain their upper bodies or torsos in arelatively stationary position during the batting stroke, properlyshifting the weight and allowing only the arms to move forward to hitthe pitched ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a battingtraining system which can easily and readily be used by a batter duringhitting practice to provide direct and instant feedback that he or sheis properly shifting weight and taking a correct swing.

This and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, abatting training system which comprises an adjustable belt which is wornaround the waist of a batter. One end of a tether line is connected tothe belt and the other end to a hook which is configured to be attachedto a fixed structure such as a fence. Releasable connectors which useVelcro® or its equivalent, are located between the ends of the tether.With the belt around the batter's waist and the tether extended from thebelt to the fixed structure, the batter takes his stance, awaiting thepitched ball. If the batter takes a proper swing, i.e. he properlyshifts his weight, the tether will remain attached between the batterand the fixed structure. If the batter improperly moves his body forwardbefore swinging or shifts his weight forward during the swing, theconnectors will detach, allowing the tether to fall to the ground. Thisprovides immediate feedback to the batter, who can then reattach theconnectors and continue to practice swinging correctly.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use,together with additional features and advantages thereof, are bestunderstood upon review of the following detailed description withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the batting training system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the batting training system of the present invention inuse on a batter.

FIG. 3 shows the batting training system of the present invention in useon a batter, with the batter in proper position while swinging a bat ata pitched ball.

FIG. 4 depicts the batting training system of the present invention inuse on a batter, with the batter in an improper position while swinginga bat at a pitched ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The batting training system 1 of the present invention comprises belt 10configured to fit around torso 2 of batter 3. The length of belt 10 isadjustable by means of buckle 12 through which the end of the beltextends. Belt 10 can thus fit the torso of batters of various sizes anddimensions.

Batting training system 1 further comprises tether 16 attached to belt10 by means of connection system 14 consisting of belt end connector 15and tether end connector 17. Tether 16 can be a line, a rope, cable, orequivalent non-stretchable flexible line. Connectors 15 and 17 areremoveably attached, such that they can readily be separated if tuggedapart and then easily reattached. It is anticipated that connectors 15and 17 will be configured with hook and eye attachments, i.e. Velcro® orequivalent attachment means. The invention is not to be consideredrestrictive to the type of attachment means used. Suffice to say, it iscontemplated that the attachment means, with releasable clasps, snaps,Velcro®, or the like, must be capable of being separated when a pullingforce, caused by the forward movement of batter 1, is applied. Theattachment means must then just as easily and simply be capable of beingreattached.

Hook 18 of batting training system 1 is connected to the second end oftether 16. Hook 18 is configured to be attached to a fixed structure,such as fence 22.

In use, belt 10 is secured loosely around torso 2 of batter 3 andadjusted by means of buckle 12 for the comfort of the batter. Batter 3then sets up in a correct batting stance, as shown in FIG. 2. In takingthis proper stance, there is an imaginary vertical plane 20 whichextends perpendicular to the oncoming pitched ball. Vertical plane 20runs through center location 4 of the batter's torso 2, as is alsodepicted in FIG. 2. At this time, tether 16, secured at one end to belt10, is secured at its other end by hook 18 to a fixed structure likefence 22. Hook 18 can also be fixed in position by manually, immoveably,holding it.

Batting training system 1 of the present invention is specificallydesigned as an instructional guide, providing immediate feedback to thebatter that while taking a proper swing at a pitched ball, the weightmust be shifted from back leg to front leg, with no movement of thetorso. This is clearly depicted in FIG. 3 in which batter 3 uses bat 6to swing at pitched ball 8. Here, batter 3 takes a proper swing byproperly shifting his weight and thus keeping his torso 2 relativelystationary, such that center location 4 of the torso remainssubstantially in vertical plane 20. The resulting swing ensures thatconnector device 14 remains attached and, hence, tether 16 remainssecured between batter 3 and fence 22.

As depicted in FIG. 4, however, batter 3 shifts his weight too farforward or actually lunges ahead towards pitched ball 8. The resultingforward movement of torso 2 of the batter results in center location 4also advancing forward of vertical plane 20. This forward movementcauses connectors 15 and 17 to detach and tether 16 to fall to theground. If the batter moves his body forward, towards the pitched ballbefore swinging, connectors 15 and 17 will also detach, causing tether16 to fall to the ground. In either case, the batter is provided clear,immediate evidence that he is not swinging property. Nonetheless, batter3 can then retrieve tether 16, reattach connectors 15 and 17, andpractice swinging correctly.

Thus, the batting training system of the present invention simply, yeteffectively instructs the batter to keep his weight back and his torsostationary while swinging at a pitched ball. When the batter takesswings while maintaining the correct swinging position, tether 16 willnot detach. Continual and repeated practice will result in the batterswinging correctly, without the use of the present invention.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed indetail in order to make the invention clear in at least one formthereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention asdisclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details asdisclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changesmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A training system for improving the batting position of a batterduring the process of swinging a bat at a pitched ball comprising: beltmeans for encircling the torso of the batter; a tether having two ends;first means at one end of the tether to maintain said end of the tetherin a fixed position, and second means at the other end of the tether toremoveably attach the tether to the belt means, said second means beingdetachable from the belt means solely upon forward movement of the torsoof the batter, whereby when the center of the batter's torso, during theswinging process, remains substantially in the vertical plane extendingperpendicular to the oncoming pitched ball, the second means remainsconnected to the belt means, and when there is forward movement of thebatter's torso out of the vertical plane, said second means becomesdetached from the belt means solely as a result of the forward movementof the batter's torso.
 2. The training system as in claim 1 wherein thebelt means comprises buckle means for adjusting the size of the beltmeans to accommodate various torso sizes.
 3. The training system as inclaim 1 wherein the means at the first end and the second end of thetether comprises detachable and re-attachable members.
 4. The trainingsystem as in claim 3 wherein the attachable and detachable memberscomprise eye and hook attachment elements.
 5. The training system as inclaim 1 wherein the first means of the tether comprises a hook forsecuring the tether to a fixed structure.